Taming the Beast

a look at the many forms and guises of workplace violence

By Alicia Priest

When it comes to violence in the workplace, such as sexual harassment, bullying and threats, abuse of power and even murder, people are asking why it happens, and who can stop it.

Violence is a ubiquitous shape shifter, lurking in formal and informal workplaces alike, and it is often hard to pinpoint its occurrence and its instigators. Today workplace violence is receiving more exposure, and organisations like the ILO are taking a steadfast stance against it by developing standards, codes of practice and community awareness.

At risk areas of work have long been such occupations as policing. However "growth" areas for violence including schools, be it as teacher or student where bullying and harassment are on the increase. Other areas considered high risk are health care, medical and dental practitioners, bus, train and subway workers, taxi drivers, postal workers and flight attendants. Even public librarians are more likely than many to experience violence and aggressive acts.

The 3rd edition of Duncan Chappell and Di Martino Violence at Work is out now (ILO, 2006)

(World of Work; April 2006 pp23-6)